Donald Trump will not be sworn in as President until January 20, but already, there are clear signs of trouble within his supporter base.
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Since Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, the President-elect has been in full focus as the United States, and many other nations, prepare for the radical policy shifts that he has promised to implement as soon as he takes office.Â
His plans significantly impact many areas of public policy, including one issue that Trump has built multiple presidential campaigns around.
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Trump’s commitment to certain principles has earned him the respect of many voters. However, recent developments suggest that his stance on one key issue may be changing, and parts of his base are making it clear that they are not happy.
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Donald Trump may be in trouble already
When historians discuss the key difference between 2024 and Trump’s previous presidential campaigns, they will likely focus on the presence of Elon Musk. The Tesla (TSLA)  CEO emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent and vocal backers in 2024, using his considerable influence, and money, to help him garner support.
It’s no mystery why Musk threw his weight and capital behind Trump. His net worth has grown by roughly $213 billion in just 2024 as Trump’s political prospects and ultimate victory pushed TSLA stock higher.
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Their friendship has proved highly beneficial for both parties. But recently, Trump expressed support for H-1B visas, which Musk has also made extremely clear he values. To many, this is seen as being at odds with Trump’s stance on curbing immigration to protect American jobs.
The H-1B visa is a non-U.S. citizen visa that companies can issue to hire foreign-born workers in specialty fields, often with technical skills. Trump recently stated in an interview that he has “always liked the visa” despite previously signing an executive order in 2017 to increase scrutiny on them, leading H-1B rejections to reach an all-time high.
This change in Trump’s stance on the importance of H-1B visas aligns him with Musk, who has a history of fiercely advocating for them. The billionaire recently responded to an X criticizing the visas, threatening strong action:
The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.
Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024
Since then, many conservative activists have criticized Trump for his decision to stand with Musk on H-1B visas.
Former GOP strategist Steve Bannon described it as a “scam” run by Silicon Valley oligarchs. Anne Coulter has accused tech leaders of wanting “indentured servants, not “high-skilled” workers.” And far-right personality Laura Loomer has framed them as granting American jobs to “ foreigners instead of hard working Americans.”
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This type of criticism from prominent conservative influencers could continue to split Trump’s base apart, further complicating matters for him at a pivotal time.
An early challenge for President TrumpÂ
What does Trump’s decision to side with Musk on a highly controversial matter mean for the early days of his presidency?
Multiple experts have acknowledged that this posture will likely be a difficult sell from Trump to his base.
U.S. immigration attorney Dana DiRaimondo highlights the fact that until now, much of Trump’s messaging has centered around “cherry picked facts in an attempt to make the legal employment of foreign workers…seem like an unregulated scheme intended to rip jobs from the hands of qualified American workers.”
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DiRaimondo states that this narrative is completely false. “Trump will now need to figure out a way to backtrack from rhetoric which has largely vilified immigrants as a whole, and explain that, in fact, immigration benefits the U.S. economy,” she predicts.
Additionally, DiRaimondo notes that Trump’s initial statement appears to have conflated the H-1B visa with the H-2B, a temporary visa granted to non-agricultural workers. This suggests that his opinions may not be fully fleshed out or that he is simply misinformed.
If a change in messaging is indeed needed, could Trump spin his new stance to keep his base engaged? Javier Palomarez, Founder & CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council (USHBC,) spoke to TheStreet about a potential way that could happen.
“Trump’s stance may cause some tension with portions of his base that are firmly opposed to immigration in any form,” he states.Â
“However, if framed as a strategy to ensure America remains a global leader in innovation and industry, it could add a new dimension to Trump’s “America First” message, highlighting the importance of leveraging global talent to strengthen national prosperity.”
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